Broken Heart Syndrome Is Very Real - HealthLine (article link)

"Losing a loved one can make you feel as if your heart is breaking—and sometimes it really is. Broken heart syndrome isn’t just Valentine’s Day hyperbole. It’s an actual medical condition, also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy."

Read more: Broken Heart Syndrome Is Very Real - HealthLine (article link)

Study: Heart rate predicts health - CNN (video)

A new study with heart patients finds that a high resting heart rate may be a predictor of a shorter life expectancy.

Read more: Study: Heart rate predicts health - CNN (video)

New guidelines, Dr. Sanjay Gupta shows Matthew McConaughey a new way of doing CPR on Larry King Live - CNN (3 video)

New guidelines on how to perform CPR - CNN (video)
New CPR advice omits breathing - CNN (video)
McConaughey learns CPR - CNN (video)

Read more: New guidelines, Dr. Sanjay Gupta shows Matthew McConaughey a new way of doing CPR on Larry King...

High blood pressure: The Slient Killer - NBC (video)

Many people don't realize they have high blood pressure until it's too late. WCAU's Dr. Alison Brucker reports.

- A leading cause of stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure.
- Most people don't feel high blood pressure until it is very high or starts to cause bad complications.

- SYSTOLIC pressure: the pressure in the arties when the heart beats and fills them with blood.
- DIASTOLIC pressure: the pressure in the arties when the heart rests between beats.

Read more: High blood pressure: The Slient Killer - NBC (video)

Heart Failure; Can a $2 Pill Save Your Life? - ABC NEWS (video)

U.K. study signals benefits of treating heart failure with an angina medication.

- The prognosis for people suffering from heart failure is worse than cancer.
- Many People taking the drug reported a huge improvement.
- The drug lowers a person's heart rate.

Read more: Heart Failure; Can a $2 Pill Save Your Life? - ABC NEWS (video)

Neuralstem stem cells survive and differentiate into neurons in rats with stroke - EurekaAlert! (article link)

- "This animal study shows the potential promise of this cell line in treating post-stroke symptoms,"
- "Four weeks after transplantation, the rats treated with Neuralstem's cells showed significantly decreased asymmetric body swing, increased vertical movements and increased grip strength, compared with the control group."

"Dr. Lin's findings represent a significant milestone for Neuralstem. They are the first to show how our human spinal cord-derived stem cell product, NSI-566RSC, currently in a clinical trial for ALS, and which we expect to be in another clinical trial for spinal cord injury, also works in the stroke brain,"

Read more: Neuralstem stem cells survive and differentiate into neurons in rats with stroke - EurekaAlert!...

CBS Weatherman Mark McEwen's Stroke Recovery - CBSNEWS (video)

CBS weatherman and anchor Mark McEwen suffered a massive stroke nearly five years ago that almost took his life. Early Show anchor and close friend Harry Smith looks back on a visit he made at Mark's Florida home early in his recovery.

Read more: CBS Weatherman Mark McEwen's Stroke Recovery - CBSNEWS (video)

A new 'tube robot' could reduce the risks of open heart surgery - NewScientist (video)

Robotic surgeon

A new 'tube robot' could reduce the risks of open heart surgery

Read more: A new 'tube robot' could reduce the risks of open heart surgery - NewScientist (video)

Common painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), linked to increased risk of stroke - Reuters (article link)

Researchers found that the use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) - celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, other oral NSAIDs, IV/injection such as ketorolac (Toradol) - in the prior month may have elevated their stroke risk.

- People should use NSAIDs at the lowest dose and for the shortest time necessary to relieve their pain - AHA.
- The AHA recommended that people first try to ease their aches and pains with acetaminophen (Tylenol) -- known to be protective against heart attacks.

NSAIDs other than aspirin may contribute to heart problems or stroke for a few reasons, including effects that may make blood clots more likely to form or may create spikes in blood pressure.

Read more: Common painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), linked to increased risk of...

Apixaban reduces the risk of stroke by more than half compared with aspirin - Reuters (article link)

- Connolly said apixaban reduced the rate of strokes by 52% compared with aspirin in the patients studied.
- The annual rate of strokes in patients on apixaban was 1.5% compared to 3.3% for those taking aspirin.

The annual rate of major bleeding was not significantly different between patients on apixaban and aspirin, at 1.4% and 1.2% respectively, and there was also no significant difference in clinically relevant non-major bleeds.

Read more: Apixaban reduces the risk of stroke by more than half compared with aspirin - Reuters (article link)

Vitamin D linked to 30-40% reduction in heart attacks - CNN (video)

- almost every organ uses and needs vitamin D
- 30-40% lower risk of heart attacks
- studies suggest may help immune system, reduce some cancers, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis

Read more: Vitamin D linked to 30-40% reduction in heart attacks - CNN (video)

MRI detected strokes 83% of the time, compared to just 26% for CT scans - Reuters (article link)

- CT scans are a specialized series of X-rays; MRI uses magnets and radio waves.
- MRI scans can help reveal how severe some types of stroke are and may help find lesions early.
- "research suggests finding lesions early may lead to better health outcomes."
- Ischemic strokes are caused by a blood clot in the brain, 3 hour response.
- Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding in the brain.

Read more: MRI detected strokes 83% of the time, compared to just 26% for CT scans - Reuters (article link)

High blood pressure can sometimes lead to brain damage, reports CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN (video)

- high blood pressure can cause minor strokes and bleeding.
- daily exercise, reduce sodium intake, increase potassium intake.
- too much sodium causes you to lose potassium and this can cause muscle aches.

Read more: High blood pressure can sometimes lead to brain damage, reports CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN (video)

Cutting out sugary drinks can lower your blood pressure - CNN (video)

- even a small reduction in blood pressure can lower your stroke and heart disease risk.
- cutting down on sugar drinks lowers blood pressure.

Read more: Cutting out sugary drinks can lower your blood pressure - CNN (video)

Women with a history of irregular menstrual periods may have a higher risk of developing heart disease - Reuters (article link)

- Women who had irregular periods were 28% more likely than women who had regular periods to develop heart disease.
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and very long menstrual cycles -- have been linked to increased risks of type 2 diabetes, which is a heart disease risk factor.

Read more: Women with a history of irregular menstrual periods may have a higher risk of developing heart...

Breathing polluted air is more strongly linked to heart attacks and strokes than previously thought - CBC (article link)

- cause-and-effect relationship fine particulate matter, which comes from fossil-fuel-burning says AHA.
- A growing link and evidence between air pollution and peripheral vascular diseases, irregular heartbeats, heart failure, and ischemic stroke.

Read more: Breathing polluted air is more strongly linked to heart attacks and strokes than previously...

A look at the causes and treatments for the type of brain hemorrhage Bret Michaels experienced - CNN (video)

- It usually starts as the worse headache of your life.
- Common causes of the bleeding are physical injury, brain aneurism, blood disorders, blood thinners, and cocaine use.
- Some symptoms are sudden loss of consciousness, vision problems, seizures, stiff neck, mood changes, and vomiting.

Read more: A look at the causes and treatments for the type of brain hemorrhage Bret Michaels experienced -...

High pressure jobs like nursing can increase young women's risk of heart disease - Reuters (article link)

"This study adds to the previous body of evidence suggesting harmful effects of excessive psychological demands at work on cardiac health"
- Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in Europe, the United States and many other rich nations.
- Nurses who said their work pressures were a little too high were 25% more likely to develop heart disease.
- Those who felt work stress was much too high were 35% more likely to have heart disease.
- Stressed employees may pick up unhealthy habits and add to their risk of developing heart problems.

Read more: High pressure jobs like nursing can increase young women's risk of heart disease - Reuters...

Cutting salt intake by 1/2 teaspoon daily could reduce heart attacks and strokes, and boost nation's health - CNN (article link)

Excessive salt intake is associated with high blood pressure, which can damage the arteries and lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems and linked to health care costs.
- A reduction in salt intake of just 1g or about 400mg would produce large declines in the rates of cardiovascular events.
- Cutting salt intake by 3g or about 1,200mg the number of heart attacks in the U.S. could decline by up to 13%.
- New cases of heart disease and the number of strokes could also be expected to decline by up to 11% and 8%.
- Processed foods, not salt from shaker, account for 75% to 80% of salt consumption.

Read more: Cutting salt intake by 1/2 teaspoon daily could reduce heart attacks and strokes, and boost...

A study found that women who walked for two or more hours a week had a lower risk of stroke - Reuters (article link)

- "More active people generally demonstrate a 25 - 30% lower risk of stroke,"
- Women who walked at a pace of 3 miles per hour or faster had a 37% lower risk of suffering any type of stroke compared to those who walked at a slower pace.

Read more: A study found that women who walked for two or more hours a week had a lower risk of stroke -...